If you’re caught in the cycle and wondering how to stop people-pleasing and set boundaries, this post is your starting point.
People-pleasing can start with the best of intentions — a desire to be helpful, to avoid conflict, or to gain approval. But when it becomes a pattern, it often comes at a steep cost: your emotional energy, your boundaries, and your sense of self-worth.
Saying “yes” to others when you want to say “no” is draining. Over time, it can leave you feeling resentful, depleted, and disconnected from your own needs. People-pleasing can make you feel like a chameleon, always shifting to fit others’ expectations instead of standing in your own truth.
The good news? It’s possible to shift from people-pleasing to self-honoring. Self-honoring means honoring your feelings, listening to your body’s signals, and giving yourself permission to set boundaries. It’s about recognizing that your needs matter just as much as anyone else’s.
This shift is deeply healing, but it doesn’t happen overnight. You might face resistance—both from within (guilt, fear of rejection) and from outside (others reacting to your boundaries). That’s why this work requires compassion and patience.
Start with small steps: notice moments when you feel drained or uncomfortable because you said “yes” out of obligation rather than desire. Ask yourself, “What do I truly need right now?” Practice saying “no” in low-stakes situations and observe how it feels.
Reclaiming your emotional energy isn’t selfish — it’s essential. When you honor yourself, you’re able to show up more fully and authentically in every area of your life: relationships, creativity, work, and self-care.
If you’re ready to reclaim your energy and create boundaries that feel empowering, let’s explore this journey together.
👉 Book your free call here
If we haven’t met yet, hi! I’m Lex Joyal — Microdosing coach who is passionate about helping highly sensitive humans connect with their emotions with the help of psychedelics and movement. If you like my content and want more of it in your life, here are a few ways you can connect with me:
Subscribe to my newsletter: Change is an art, a part of life, and a lifelong practice that I wish would have been part of the curriculum in school. I’m honing in on the who, what, when, where, why, and how, of all things change and personal evolution. Expect insight and action-based content as I cross the intersection of science and spirituality, and break down concepts that highly intrigue me 😋. Click here to subscribe!
Read the rest of my blog: The hub of everything — from improving emotional resilience, psychedelic integration, exploration tips and advice — to stories from my own psychedelic experiences, spirituality for the spiritually-curious, and more. If you like this post, you’ll love the blog! Here’s a roundup of my most popular posts.
Download my free microdosing guide: The most comprehensive guide to starting or expanding your microdosing journey with mushrooms. I walk you through the 7 steps I take myself and all my clients through to take this from recreational to transformative. Most importantly, I make it accessible for those who want this to become a major tool in their toolbox — It’s all yours for free.
Enlist me as your coach: There’s a certain magic you’ll unlock with microdosing. I offer individual microdosing coaching for those who are ready to make sustainable change using psychedelics as a tool. If you want to get a taste of microdosing and emotions coaching, schedule a free sample session to see if we’re a good fit.
To get in touch with me directly email lex@lexjoyal.com Have the sweetest day!
